Rwanda’s Senate Vice President, Nyirasafari Esperance, took the opportunity at the 147th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Luanda, Angola, to showcase Rwanda’s 20-year development journey, emphasizing its remarkable progress in improving the well-being of its citizens.
Speaking on the sidelines of this international forum, Nyirasafari Esperance commended Rwanda’s commitment to advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a mission the country has championed and significantly excelled in over the years.
She highlighted that recent data indicated the impact of the Rwandan government’s effort, as the country has surpassed its own expectations. The Vice President noted that the overarching goal of uplifting its people’s quality of life, within a 20-year timeline, has proven successful. Among the standout achievements, Nyirasafari mentioned a rise in life expectancy to 69.6 years, compared to 51.2 years in 2002. This remarkable transformation is attributed to the well-thought-out, long-term planning that the Rwandan government has undertaken.
Furthermore, Madam Nyirasafari underscored the importance of inclusivity, particularly women’s and youth’s involvement in Rwanda’s national development and peace-building efforts. She urged her fellow IPU delegates to appreciate that peace and unity, especially in the context of good governance and prosperity, are closely intertwined with the well-being of women and youth.
IPU, a global parliamentary organization comprising 178 member countries, was founded in 1889 with the mission to promote peace and cooperation. Over the years, IPU has expanded its mandate beyond diplomacy and dialogues and has embraced a broader agenda aimed at achieving global diplomacy, good governance, and fostering parliamentary cooperation.